Dose equivalent- Gonal F and Puregon

[Saffy]

Hi ivf brainiacs,

I'm wondering how the doses of Gonal F and Puregon compare.

I just picked up my meds for my next stim cycle and my new clinic uses Gonal F, I'm used to Puregon and am such a old IVF bag I'm scared of changing anything so freaking out! I have been on 375 of puregon the last two cycles, I got good results with that ( 9 and 10 eggs collected), my new FS has ordered me 400 of Gonal F, is this a comparative dose?

I don't want to be on a lower dose IYKWIM, these old ovaries need all the kick up the bum they can get!

[nothing2lose]

I have always been led to believe they are the same thing, just different brand, made slightly differently....

[Saffy]

oh ok so 400 of one is the same as 400 of the other?
what dose were you on? I asked in anther thread too but answer here if you want x

[nothing2lose]

Answered elsewhere but 300 this time.

[Pholi]

I found this study abstract:

Comparison of two recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone preparations in in-vitro fertilization: a randomized clinical study
Maija Tulppala1,2,3, Milla Aho1, Timo Tuuri1, Sirpa Vilska1, Tuija Foudila1, Tiina Hakala-Ala-Pietilä1, Jarna Moilanen1, Tarja Bützow1, Seija Kaukoranta1, Viveca Söderström-Anttila1, Rita Siegberg1, Anne-Maria Suikkari1 and Outi Hovatta1

A randomized comparison of two recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) preparations (Gonal-F® and Puregon®) in ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was carried out at the Infertility Clinic of the Family Federation of Finland. A total of 348 women (aged 22–43 years) suffering from infertility due to miscellaneous causes was recruited. Of these, 344 underwent stimulation using equal starting doses (150 IU/day: Gonal-F® n = 164, Puregon® n = 158 or 300 IU/day: Gonal-F® n = 8, Puregon® n = 14) after down-regulation with intranasal buserelin from the mid-luteal phase. Similar clinical pregnancy rates were achieved with both preparations; 33.5% per cycle and 37.4% per embryo transfer (24.5% one-embryo and 75.5% two-embryo transfers, n = 147) with Gonal-F® (150 IU/day) and 32.9% per cycle and 36.4% per embryo transfer (30.1% one-embryo and 69.9% two-embryo transfers, n = 145) with Puregon® (150 IU/day). The ongoing cumulative pregnancy rates after frozen–thawed embryo transfer were 35.4% with Gonal-F® and 37.7% with Puregon®. Six cycles were cancelled because of a low response (three in each group). Similar numbers of oocytes were obtained in both groups; 13.0 with 150 IU/day and 6.1 with 300 IU/day Gonal-F®, and 12.4 with 150 IU/day and 7.1 with 300 IU/day Puregon®. The fertilization and cleavage rates and the incidence of moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (Gonal-F®, 2.0% and Puregon®, 0.7%) were also similar. Gonal-F® and Puregon® were equally and highly effective in stimulation for IVF and ICSI.

It takes a bit of reading, but my take on it is that the dosages are equivalent, (ie, 150 Gonal F=15 puregon). However, note the number of eggs collected: on the 150 dose, it wsa 12.4 for one med and 13 for the other, and on the higher 300 dose it was 6.1 and 7.1 eggs. Makes me hink that higher dose does not equal more eggs!

Can I suggest you call the clinic to discuss your concerns with the nurse? They should be quite happy to explaion why they're using a different dosage to your past cycles, and also explain to you how often they intend to monitor and adjust your dosage.

Best of luck